October 20 - 22, 2017 - Bahá'ís celebrate The Light of Unity FestivalThe 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah

Springfield Bahá'íscelebrated the 200th birthday of Baha’u’llah, the Prophet whose teachings form a blueprint for establishing peace and justice throughout the world. The celebrations here spanned three days (Oct 20 to 22) with participation from Baha’is, our friends, and other like-minded people working to make Springfield a more welcoming, unified and compassionate community.

Key note speaker, Mr. Kiser Barnes and his wife, Nancy, who traveled from North Carolina to took part in the celebrations. Mr. Barnes, a former member of the international council that guides the worldwide Baha’i community, offered inspiring remarks throughout the weekend, remarks that offer hope and perspective to everyone who cherishes justice.

We thank the Central Illinois African American History Museum for hosting Oct. 20 a well-attended presentation on local, national and international efforts to promote unity and overcome the racism, “otherness” and “we vs. them” attitudes that appear so prevalent today.

One lasting, physical remembrance fr102om the weekend is the addition of two October Glory maple trees at Comer Cox Park. As these trees grow and mature, they will provide shade, protection and beauty to visitors of Springfield’s major east-side park.

Our thanks to Mayor Jim Langfelder for attending the October 22, 2017 Crowne Plaza gala marking
Baha’u’llah’s birthday, and for authoring a City Proclamation praising the oneness of mankind/religion that is the cornerstone of the Baha’i Faith.